Lawyers for the newspaper told the court the company acknowledged the Irish Aviation Authority's recent confirmation that Ryanair fully complied with all European and international regulations and that its safety standards were on a par with the safest airlines in Europe.

Speaking outside the court, solicitor for Ryanair Paul Tweed said the company acknowledged the newspaper's "prompt and categoric statement", which had set the record straight.

Mr Tweed said Ryanair would be vigorously pursuing a separate defamation action against Channel 4.